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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1994

AT
(202) 616-2771
TDD (202) 514-1888

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department's Antitrust Division, citing
technological advances and changes in antitrust law, tentatively approved
today at the request of General Electric Co. the termination of a 1911
consent decree on the sale of incandescent light bulbs by GE and other
companies. The Department reserved the right to withdraw its support up
to 10 days after a public comment period.

Under the decree, GE could conduct business in incandescent lamps only
under its own name and GE and other defendants were barred from fixing
prices, misusing patents, entering into certain types of exclusive contracts
or tying arrangements and engaging in predatory pricing.

The decree stemmed from a complaint alleging that GE tried to monopolize
the incandescent lamp industry by secretly purchasing many of its competitors,
fixing prices and allocating the market with the remaining competitors.
The complaint also charged GE and other defendants with predatory pricing,
misuse of patents and the maintenance of unlawful exclusive contracts
with manufacturers of light bulb making machinery and components.

Anne K. Bingaman, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust
Division, said the Department supported termination of the decree because
it was unnecessary since many sections of the decree duplicate the effect
of existing laws, while some parts bar conduct that is not considered
anticompetitive today.

The Department reserved the right to withdraw its consent for at least
10 days after the close of a 60-day public comment period which the
Department has requested the court to establish. Public comment on the
proposed termination of the judgment is invited within that period.
Interested persons may address comments to J. Robert Kramer, Chief,
Litigation II Section, Antitrust Division, United States Department
of Justice, 1401 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530.